As you begin planning your estate, you might hear legal professionals advising you to bypass the legal process called probate at all costs. During this process, a court takes over the distribution of a person’s assets when they pass away. From validating the will to...
Memphis, Tennessee, Law Blog
Why do lawyers advise you to avoid probate?
Bypassing the probate process may be one of the critical pieces of advice you will hear from lawyers and financial advisers when you start planning your estate. Probate is a necessary legal process where a court validates your will, settles your debts and distributes...
Protecting your interests as a landlord
It can be profitable to own rental property. For many, it is an easy way to earn passive income, but it is key to have stable relationships with tenants. Issues with the people living in your rental properties could become something much more involved than a simple...
Probate avoidance and other benefits of revocable trusts
A common stereotype about trusts is that they are only beneficial to wealthy families or those with many assets. However, trusts have some distinct advantages that can benefit nearly every Tennessee family. Revocable trusts, in particular, are some of the most popular...
2 ways to keep an estate out of probate court
Losing a loved one is one of the most devastating and challenging things to face. When a loved one passes away, the last thing the family wants to think about is how their loved one’s estate will be handled. In Tennessee, if a person dies without a plan in place,...
Using a living trust to avoid probate
It's safe to say that those in Tennessee want as much of their money and assets as possible to be passed down to loved ones when they die. However, if a person dies without an estate plan in place, they will be considered to have died in-state and their possessions...
Is it better to sell the family home after a divorce?
One of the most complex issues to address when ending a marriage is deciding what will happen to the family home. Buying or selling a home is a major decision at any point, but it may be especially complicated during a divorce. Homeowners navigating this process will...
Who can afford to buy a home?
One of the most significant purchases one can make over the course of his or her life is buying residential property. It is the dream of many to own a home, but the process of actually buying a home can be difficult, confusing and incredibly expensive. Estimates...
When to start the eviction process
Most Tennessee landlords prefer not to have to evict a tenant. The eviction process can be expensive, time-consuming and stressful for everyone involved. While landlords and tenants can resolve many disputes in other ways, eviction is the only option when they can’t...
What happens if a family member tries to delay probate?
Some of the many complications that can arise after the death of a loved one are those related to what happens to the property of the deceased. The process of distributing assets and settling remaining affairs associated with a Tennessee estate is called probate, and...